Cincinnati Reds SP Brett Marshall (finger) strained a tendon in his right middle finger during his outing Wednesday, March 26, and as a result, the fifth rotation spot will be given to SP Alfredo Simon to start the year. "(Marshall will) be getting a second evaluation done," manager Bryan Price said. "He had an MRI after the game. He'll be seeing a hand specialist locally in Phoenix, but it doesn't look like he's going to be having any chance to open the season with us."

Cincinnati Reds SP Mike Leake (abdomen) has been scratched from this scheduled Grapefruit League spring start Sunday, March 2, due to an abdominal issue. SP Brett Marshall will make the start in his place. "He did something we didn't know about, about a month before spring training, just doing his workout," manager Bryan Price said Saturday, March 1. "It's a little bit of a strain. It's not causing any problem with his bullpens, with his lifting or any of his throwing stuff. He was out playing long toss before his last bullpen and he felt it a little bit. We've just been really cautious with it."